# pant

/ˈpænt/ (US) · /pˈɑːnt/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pant
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to breathe quickly and loudly with your mouth open, usually because you are tired or very hot.

For teachers: to breathe with short, quick gasps, typically as a result of physical exertion or extreme heat.

## Examples

- The dog started to pant after running in the park.
- She reached the top of the stairs and had to stop for a moment to pant and catch her breath.
- The marathon runners continued to pant heavily long after crossing the finish line, their bodies struggling to recover from the intense cardiovascular demand of the race.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He was panting for the air" but "He was panting for air" — When used with 'for' to show a need, the following noun is usually uncountable and does not require an article.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.